Hero Stories

The gift of organ and tissue donation is an act of quiet heroism. The memories of our Heroes are treasured. This Hero Stories Blog is for cherished memories submitted by the families of these Heroes.

A place to honor and to remember individuals that have saved and enhanced lives.

The stories that follow tell of loss, grief, and pain, as well as rebirth, renewed purpose, and continued missions. These stories, in particular, are close to home, as they involve some of our own employees.

To find a specific story, use the search box at the top of the page or click here for mobile search.

August 14, 2006 was a typical Monday in our home. Timmy left work, and I started my work day in my home office. At 9 o'clock in the morning, Bobby pulled into the driveway. I took a break from work, and he and I had a wonderful talk.

He had been struggling financially and told me he and his girlfriend were learning to walk the money walk. He did his grocery shopping at mom's and left after about an hour of visiting.

Monday evening, my daughter and I were watching television. I asked her if she was interested in the program we were watching as I wanted to watch the news. She said no so we switched channels. The lead story was about a shooting outside a home in Marrero and the victim was Robert Champagne, taken to the trauma hospital in New Orleans. I felt all the air leave my body as I started screaming. My husband and I went to the hospital to be met by the emergency room physician who explained the injury and the expectation of death by morning. So we waited as relatives who also heard the news began arriving at the emergency room.

At 2 AM, we were asked to leave the facility. This was still right after Katrina and the hospital was make-shift, not structured to help survivors in any way. So, we left and drove the 10 minute drive home. We brewed a pot of coffee and talked.

Bobby at age 7

Bobby loved being everyone's hero. He was always saving someone. We had known him to truly give someone the shirt off his back if he felt the person needed it. I told my husband the hospital was sustaining life long enough to talk with us about organ donation. The decision for us was easy because we knew Bobby would have wanted to help save anyone he could. When we arrived back at the hospital, we were escorted into a family waiting room and introduced to a LOPA rep. Kirsten was so gentle with her word selection. We interrupted her and told her we were going to donate Bobby's organs.

Because of Katrina's effects, the tissue samples had to be sent to Shreveport for processing. Kirsten said we would be kept informed of every movement Bobby made during the trip to Shreveport and back home. He was able to help four people with his donation. I can see the little smirk smile on his face knowing how proud he would be of his contribution to someone's life.

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) is an independent, not-for-profit organ and tissue recovery agency. LOPA's Core Purpose is Making Life Happen. We save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation.

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Thank you to Rapides Regional Medical Center for their annual Tree of Life Ceremony today! It was a wonderful, emotional gathering and an amazing experience to share with donor families. The tree is located in the South Tower Lobby of the hospital.

A quick listen to 'The Gifted Life' podcast and you'll hear our hosts repeating...ONE person can make a difference in the world of donation!
Well, Rodie of 'Metro City Driving Academy' is one of those people!
See all those forms Rodie is holding in the attached picture? Those are all registration forms! She's helping to increase Louisiana's donor registry. Her motivation? Her friend, her HERO - Daniel. His picture is a fixture on the class walls (see him in the white hat?) She also lines her walls with donation information. Daniel saved and enhanced lives through donation. Rodie wants to save more people, too - in Daniel's honor. Thanks, Rodie for helping us MAKE LIFE HAPPEN! #DonateLife #DonateLifeLA #Podcast #TheGiftedLife

Join us on DLL's Facebook page live this morning, beginning at 11:00. Ricardo "Buck" Brown's Donate Life Rose Parade Float Floragraph will be unveiled to his mother. She will be finishing her son's floragraph before it is placed on the float! @donatelifefloat #donatelife

Today is #GivingTuesday! We are asking you to give something unique today—your name. Your name can save and heal many lives. Visit YourNameSaves.org to learn more. #yournamesaves #DonateLife